An investigation of the therapeutic potential of the testicular tissue encapsulated in amnion membrane in mouse model: An experimental study

Abstract

Background: Restoring fertility in male cancer individuals through testicular tissue transplantation faces challenges due to hypoxia-induced loss of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Hydrogel encapsulation was explored to minimize hypoxic damage in testicular tissue transplantation. For this purpose, human amnion membrane (hAM)-derived hydrogel could be an alternative. Objective: The potential of hAM-derived hydrogel to support testis tissue grafts was evaluated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, testicular tissue samples (1-3 mm(3)) were obtained from 16 male NMRI mice (4-5 wk, 22 +/- 2 gr). These tissue fragments were either encapsulated within a hydrogel derived from a hAM or left unencapsulated (control) prior to being autologously transplanted beneath the dorsal skin of mice subjected to hemilateral or bilateral orchiectomy. The grafted testicular tissues were histologically evaluated for key parameters, including the integrity of seminiferous tubules, survival of SSCs, Sertoli cell functionality, as well as hypoxia and apoptosis on day 21. Results: No significant differences were observed between groups regarding ST integrity, number of SSCs, Sertoli cell functionality, or the rate of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha and apoptosis (p <= 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrated no effect of hAM hydrogel encapsulation on the outcomes of testicular tissue transplantation.